Series: The Call of Christmas
Message: The Call to Prepare & Provide
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 38:15-22.

Read: Luke 1:1-38 - As you read in the NLT translation, note 1-3 insights/questions that arise. 

Reflect: Luke is gathering all the data he can from “eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,” because he knows that with a generation passing away, the story has to be told as accurately as possible. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he brings together a historical account which is for a new growing group, as N. T. Wright shares in page 3 of Luke for Everyone, “He [Luke] has a wider audience in mind, an educated, intelligent, enquiring public.” 

He very carefully and slowly takes us on a journey to prepare us for the most fantastic miracle in the world, the birth of Jesus Christ. Not something easy for us even today, with our skeptical minds and analytical self-created conundrums. Luke knew, again I believe by the power of the Holy Spirit, that this story, this reality needs to be pressed in reality. To that end, watch how Jesus does not appear until verse 30. Instead Luke brings us into the life of Zechariah and Elisabeth, and their real struggle, with not being able to have a child. The negative stigma attached to them would have been horrible. What follows is a brilliantly crafted humorous story, bringing humanity in its ‘lack of faith’ state to a place of marvel and transformation by the Holy Spirit. Zechariah is prepared. Elisabeth is prepared. Their soon-to-be-born son John will prepare the way for the Messiah (Isaiah 40:3; Mark 1:3).                      

Recalibrate: 

1. What other stories in the Bible can you recall where someone was not able to have a child and suddenly a miracle took place? 
2. For what did each of those stories prepare the people at the time and us today?

Respond: Pray for wisdom. 

Research:  Build out the family tree of Jesus and discover how John and Jesus are cousins.